It is 19 May 09
I am preparing to set off early tomorrow morning to 'do' Lands End to John O Groats.
I have recently had the idea of cycling from Barcelona to Paris around the same time (late May/early June, 2011), going over the top of the Pyrenees, through Andorra.
As both cities have an Arc De Triomphe the trip will be called Arc to Arc.
Why do the trip? ..... 'Cos it's there, I enjoy the personal challenge, I enjoy having a reason to keep pushing, I love feeling strong and it is better than sitting on my backside waiting to get old....and overweight. If I wasn't training for something, I would be drinking far too much in the evenings so this is a win/win for me (and those close to me).
Lessons learned from the past
I was quite lucky with the planning and outcome of LE-JOG (2009) where things went mostly to plan. I tried to cheat with thinner tyres but the weight of the food and water along with the clothing/kit that was carried was too much and I wore out one '32' tyre with a spectacular blow-out near Loch Lomond.
So, the answer to that is have a spare tyre – since updated to a spare wheel, block, tube and tyre complete - along and check (daily) the walls.
The other big ‘learn‘ was to keep to a plan. about what NOT to do on big cycling trips and those lessons shall be put in to practice next year.
The accepted risk is the weather over which we have no control - but the wind during late spring/early summer is expected to be blowing South to North - hence the trip going from Barca northwards over the Pyrenees to Paris.
I used the same 'logic' for the planning of LE-JOG and on several days we had 10 mph + winds on our backs, only twice having westerly winds (in the ear) and once on our noses.
The things I can immediately see that I may need to consider would be:
1. Getting to Barca (car- via Dover (much cheaper)) and back from Paris
2. Accommodation and costs
3. 3rd party insurance
4. How to get in decent prep time on hills
5. Car first aid kit and high-viz vests (legal requirement) for all car occupants!
Mistakes I have made so far are:
Pushing too hard on the big gears – bringing me a sore / stiff back
While using my mountain bike (fat tyres) I was trying to achieve speeds / times that I can achieve while using my road bike – bring me a sore / stiff back
Forgetting that I am 50 – not 30 – resulting in fatigue and sore back, lol.
Forgetting that I need to maintain my house not only eat, train and work....how very dull.
Forgetting that I need to pay attention to my Kath and her lovely girls, not only eat, train and work– resulting in bad moods (joke)
Drinking too much alcohol too often – resulting in lack of power.
Maintain the bike, especially – have decent tyres in good condition and ensure that the chain, front bracket and block are changed before the ride - else you won't be able to get up a steep slope.
Drink lots of electrolyte (I use one litre of very diluted squash and a half-spoon of salt)
Dont drink alcohol and expect to have speed / power the next day.
Enjoy it ...... if you don't enjoy the whole experience, the effort / achievement is spoiled
Love the special people in your life and let them know it.
Have a compromise for your person at home to make up for time spent out training.
On one of the last training sessions I was on, I was joined enroute by a passing cyclist who turned out to be a charming chap involved in the Bournemouth CTC. We briefly chatted and the conversation turned to my forthcoming BarPar ride. He asked if I would be creating a written record, and if so, if I would forward a link. Sir, my pleasure.
http://www.bournemouthctc.org/
or
http://www.blogger.com/daveandsuelangley@btinternet.com
So. Once the plan / idea was fixed in my mind, one of the first things I did was to 'Google' for others who had done the trip....worryingly, all the routes I found were North to South..... Am I wrong? Does the wind in Spain / France head N to S in the summer? Surely not. Stick with it Tony! So to the basic plan - with costs - ouch!
I had trained with this ride in mind since September 2010. I started out with the normal 16 miles ride to and from work (Blandford to West Moors) and slowly increased the return leg on a monthly basis.
The previous big ride LEJoG showed me that as long as I was hill-fit the flat bits would take care of them selves. And it proved to be so.
So Kath and I packed the car and I left Bournemouth. At this point my concern was to ensure that
there would be enough room for all four of us, Kath and the girls will fly out to Girona to save them the 2 day car drive, on the return journey from Calais.
Tickets, passport and Michelin toll-free route (http://www.vaimichelin.co.uk/) in hand, I left.
Knowing that the drive would be long I settled in to the inside lane on the big roads and tucked in behind the lorries arriving at Dover with an mpg of 63! incredible for a 12 year old Volvo.
Off the ferry and heading south missing the £100 of toll fees and feeling good. I lost Radio 4 after 2 hours or so and having forgotten to put the disk player in, I was relegated to French local radio.....O dear. They may be able to cook and create fine wines, but their radio is pantalon!
In the planning I had forgotten to allow for the fact that the drive is INTO the sun the whole journey, and by the time evening came I was very warm and I had a need to drink often. I kipped and drove, kipped and drove through the night to avoid the heat of the following day.
I went though dozens of places where the buildings were beautiful, everything clean and even the roundabouts were decorated with wonderful artistry...more of that later.
For me, the town to revisit for its scenery Millau - spectacular rock / cliff faces. I reckon a week there with walking boots and mountain bike is a must.
Soon after I picked up the first Bardelona sign post - only 4 hours to go!
By now the heat was getting to me and my stomach was feeling a little unsettled. As I drove through Girona I need to 'unload' the unsettled contents, stopped at a petrol station bought a coke. 2 minutes down the road, I pulled over to give an impressive demonstration of projectile vomitting. I was not too bad after that, other than feeling sorry for my self....so I pushed on to Barca.
I was in constant touch my text messages to Ground Control (Kath, Suzie and Sophie) and I was quite moved to receive a touching message of good wishes and hugs to help with a speedy recovery. I missed the turn off for Masnou, ending up in central Barca and night closing in.
I had an idea of the lay-out of the city from many previous looks at paper maps and Google Maps (thank you Google) so when I found myself on a large roundabout with half of the Spanish driving community on their scooters, I knew I was only 15 miles from where I wanted to be.
I weaved my way back north on the city streets, avoiding the drains and other obstacles, while keeping my distance from the scooters and cycles that seemed to be going in all directions!
'I'm lost' my text reads to Kath. I was in one of the very many 'slum' areas on the outskirts of the city. I turned and pressed on, to find the campsite at 10.15 in the evening.
I was given an extremely kind and warm welcome from the receptionist, who could not do enough to assist me.
He, like the others, speaks amazing English and I was soon parked up and ready to kip. But it was too dark to I slept in the car again. www.campings.com/capming-masnou-el-masnou
We paid 42 euros per night for the car, large tent and four visitors. A normal price for Europe we found, as as this was 12 miles from central Barca and 200 metres from the beach, we couldn't really complain
The following day was all about recovery, eating and rehydrating and staying out of the sun as much as possible.
Kath and the girls had been dropped off at Bournemouth airport by my neighbour and good friend, Nick, at 5.30 in the morning to catch the 7.00 plane to Girona so I headed north to collect my three special ladies. We had a slow drive back along the coast road, the glistening blue Med' and wonderful heat allowing us to enjoy being reunited in idyllic circumstances.
As we came down the mountain range to the sea, there were many females sat at the roadside. Suzie and I noted that they were out of place. It soon became obvious that they were 'for-hire' and from then on became known to us all as the 'mountain-girls'...... later 'mountain-goats'.....later still , simply, 'goats'.
Sadly, we saw more of the same in the Bois de Boulogne area of Paris, and equally sadly plenty of down-and-outs living rough in the woods and along the river bank of the Seinne under the arches.
One stop for a Lidl (other supermarkets are available :-) ) shop then to the campsite and home for two days.
Home was sun, pool, beach and sightseeing in Barca. Once the appropriate quantity of sun-cream had been applied we headed for the beach - did I tell you it was just over the main road from the campsite....
As Kath was not keen to face drive through the busy streets of Barca we decided that I should 'do' the first 30 or 40 miles out of town then return while the three did their sightseeing.
Day 1 (part 1) So early the next morning I headed for The Arc, took a few compulsory photos and headed for out-of-town. Barca is a haven for cyclists and others on mopeds and motorbikes and like many cities (and all French roads) is signposted rather poorly... even so I found my way out and headed North.
Let the fun begin!
My 'there-and-back' ride took me on a 60 mile round trip ending in my meeting up the Kath and the girls at the Arc after the open-top bus-tour during which they saw many of the sights worth viewing. The place cannot be seen in a day, a week of cycling and use of the metro is what is needed apparently
A warning to you though. Thieves and pickpockets are very much in evidence in the city so carry as little as you can, and spread out your possessions in as many pockets (preferably zipped) as you are able. A fellow camper had recently lost £500 in one loss
After a second afternoon playing on the beach (to allow Kath and the girls to recover from getting lost (twice) on the train system) we prepped the bike and my mind ready for the 'off' for real.
We met a lovely German couple who had seemingly spent the past 5 years or so travelling widely and became an inspiration for Kath and I to continue with our travels in the future.
I drove out of Barca - getting lost only twice - with wonderful comments from the backseats, such as, 'don't you get shout when things go wrong?'. What's the point child? What's the point? And in a pretty calm state, we stumbled upon the correct road and headed North. I took back the 60 miles from the previous day and we headed for Monserrat for my 2nd start. If you are in the area, its a must stop and see place
The funniest comment of the day was when Kath (a dyslexic) stated 'Oh, look....Monster Rat' ! ... forever more known as
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/montserrat-spain.html
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=montserrat+spain&hl=en&biw=1019&bih=678&prmd=ivnsom&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ga_rTdSWLcKy8QO_4ryJAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQsAQ
Day 1 (part 2) heading for Oliana
As Kath and the girls went in search of big rats, I neaded north with 'be careful,. It's a very busy road' ringing in my ears. If that's busy I can't tell you how manic are the roads of Britain! Even so, it was extremely touching to hear all three wishing me well as I set off (wearing my dayglo orange cycle shirt) for real, and to hear the genuine concerns for my safety. x x x
3 hours later I was passed by the Volvo - now called Cod, as apparently the air-conditioning is a little whiffy - and we all headed for Oliana, a few miles south of Andorra. In a beautiful setting, this should have been a wonderful experience. Sadly, it wasn't to be. The run-down campsite was all in very poor condition, and reception closed at 16.30 to allow the receptionist to go home for the day!
I arrived after the camp had closed and had to weave my way through the campgates to be met by Sophie who was less than pleased that 'the pool is not working'. We were to encounter the 'pool-problem' a few more times on the trip - we reckon it is because Spain and France are enduring the driest year for 140 years.
I had stupidly not bothered with gloves and the back of my hands were quite badly sunburned along with my forearms...and the rest of the trip was completed in my Helly Hanson long sleeve tops to protect me from the sun and thin woolen gloves to protect from the sun and help with absorption of sweat.
Ave speed for day was 11.6
Total (including the drive / previous days ride) 120
Good slopes and hills.
After a large glass of red we went to sleep, with me wondering what tomorrows visit to the Pyrenees would bring.
Day 2 - heading for Andorra and Pas de la Casa then Pamiers.
I woke early and headed off before the girls were awake. Lots of porridge and cups of coffee for breakfast. I loaded the sandwiches, flapjack, dried fruit and 6 litres of water on to the bike and headed up the valley. The first 5 miles was following a large lake over which were flying several massive hunting birds. As I turned one corner there were 3 standing on a ledge, and when I say massive, they are the size of swans! Huge.
Spectacular views and with many stops to take pictures, I headed ever closer to Andorra. I was becoming a little confused - downcast even - as I believed that I was reaching the top of the climb and had not yet encountered anything that required me to really dig deep.
I was put firmly in my place as I entered Andorra's captial and the climbs started for real.
There was a brief respite as I topped one small climb in town with a wonderful decoration on the roundabout:
Yes! Your bum looks big in that! To pinch a comment of jest from a good friend of mine - how very rude! Thanks Pat.
I knew from Kath's text messages that she was on the move and about to pass me, and I put in a request for 'more food - pizza would be ideal, as the sandwiches are not enough! - and another 4 or 5 litres please as I am overheating and having to pour the water on my head to keep cool - as well as drink the stuff'. As the true gem that she is, with Sophie and Suzie they went hunting for a pizza shop.... one hour and 25 euros later (now, that's an expensive meal by anyones standards I reckon) they were on up the hill to feed me.
I was headed for the top (Pas De La Casa) and on a 24k stretch that was atleast 3.5% until the top! Ouch.
I was stood on the pedals to rest my legs, changing gear to the granny gears, sitting to rest my knees, stood to rest my back and openly cursing the signs that mocked me with 'the next 8 km will be 4.5%. My respect for the Tour racers was previously one more of admiration - now that I have climbed ONE of those slopes, my respect is of complete.
As we stood in the shade and out of the cool breeze, I ate and drank only to pause to ask Suzie 'not to sit on the car bonnet, unless the car should roll down the road and off the mountain-side'. Trust me, it's that steep!
So, re-fuelled, I set off up the road, with 'wow, that looks difficult' from one of the 3. My heart sank a little as they once again passed me and slowly snaked their way up the mountain side. I could see the car become yet smaller before they turned a corner and I was once more alone.
I was greeted with a hearty cheer from a fellow cyclist who had obviously just cycled over the top from the opposite direction giving me a huge 'hup,hup,hup as he waved his clenched fist at me in encouragement'.
The cyclist club is a very special one, similar to that of the motorbiking fraternity where there is an acknowledgement of each other, as the opposing paths of each meet, with a briefest of nods.
That hup, hup, hup spurred me on for atleast 10 secs before I went back to disliking the hill before me. I cycled up in to, and above, the snow line to the see a sign for the tunnel that chopped its way through to avoid the last 3k to the top. I tried - but cyclists are not allowed - so on and up I continued. Snap back after snap back and then a glimpse of a camper-van parked on what is surely the top.
As I rounded that last but one corner, I was passed by two people on a huge motorbike. as they descended the hill. the rider was flashing the headlight and as they drew close both rider and passenger pointed at me and again waved a fist then both gave me a thumbs up.
The wonderful 2-wheel fratentity is truly international and very generous in all ways.
I have to tell you, that I was a little emotional at that generous acknowledgement of my effort to get to the top, and as I crested the Pyrenees I allowed myself a little free wheel and I don't mind telling you, a tear in my eye.
Free-wheeling through passport control with nothing more than the briefest of nods from the Gendarme I entered France and to celebrate I found a little spot out of the cold Northerly wind to eat and drink and take 15 minutes to myself. In the warm, I basked in my little success of achieving a 40-year goal of cycling over the top, ate well, drank alot, and sent a text to Kath saying ' over the top of the 'hill' hoorah, stopping to eat and I won't be rushing from here, will let you know when I am near Foix. x x x '
And what a view from my chosen lunch-spot.
The descent was nice ... and quick, but the unwanted (annoying) northerly wind was like a brake all of the time but on looking back, it probably helped to flush the lactic acid from my legs. I have no idea how far down the valley I went, but I found myself cruising at 20 mph in to the wind and through Foix. Stopping to drink and eat again, I checked the phone to see that Kath was having problems finding the agreed campsite.
Map reading and the following of precise directions was the problem and was to be worse yet later on in to the trip.
We all arrived safely - eventually - and I arrived to see Suzie waiting at the campsite gates playing on her Ipod (again!).
The campsite is lovely and would recommend it highly.
http://www.french-housing.com/camping-annonce.php?id=89489
Quick notes taken:
Total distance: 116 miles
Top speed 33.8 (with brakes on)
Ave speed 12.3
Time in saddle: 9 1/2 hours
Ran out of food and nearly water. Will be getting pizzas from local shops and cooking previous night to ensure sufficient food is availalbe. Sandwiches not heavy enough / sufficient. Rice and pasta would probably go off in the heat. Will be leaving around 7 every day from now on to avoid afternoon heat where possible
Day 3 - heading for Auvillar
Woken at 5 by a bloody cockerel! Then 5.30 by an industrial machine hammering something in the far distance. Do these French have no manners?!
Despite the hourly stops for eating, drinking and stretching, yesterday's efforts have left me with quite sore thighs. This is new to me, I have never had sore legs before and it pointed out to me how hard the ride up the Pyrenees was - as if I needed reminding. More respect to the Tour riders.
As if the cockerel wasn't enough, our matress had a slow puncture and we were virtually on the floor in the morning. Other than that all is fine.
Setting off before 7 I headed on down the valley at 17 - 18 mph (with a slight southerly nudging me along) and on in to Toulouse where I picked up the canal path north to Montech. Fully in to the ride now, I was quite happy with my food, drink (now carrying 8 litres at start of day) speed and distances.
I had my first siting of the real poor in France today, with many people living in the woods alongside the canal just outside of the city. I felt a little guilty that I should be spending around £1,500 pounds 'having fun' while these poor folk are living as they do. I promise myself to do something nice for someone, atleast once a day, should I get the chance.
I am enjoying the 2-wheel fraternity 'Bon Jour' as we pass each other, and those out walking are joining in. On the 50 miles or so out of Toulouse, only 2 people keep their eyes down and fail to pass a greeting to me. This sharing of greetings continues right throughto Paris where city dwellers seem, like in the whole of Britain, to have lost the desire to be courteous and /or the desire to share a pleasantry.
By use of texts Kath and I were able to arrange a meeting at about 3/4 the way, but I was obviously going quicker than expected as the meet did not occur and Kath headed on to the next campsite just out of Auvillar.
I took an early turn off the canal path and lost an hour trying to find my way back on route. I stopped twice to request assitance;
The first time I asked an elderly lady if she could provide me with directions. She pointed in the direction from which I had just come and then started providing details at a speech rate of 200 mph. I nodded where I believed it was appropriate, gave her a hearty 'Merci' and went back the way I had come hoping to find another person who would be less hasty in their speech.
The second time, soon after the elderly lady, I saw another elderly lady resting in the shade and callled to her to ask for assistance. She couldn't, but her kind farmer-husband could.
'Ah oui, monsieur. Vous allez par la, puis gauche, puis droit, puis 15 km et voila' .... or something like that anyway.
As we were chatting he asked from where I had cycled - I told him Barcelona - and that I am going to Paris, adding that I have come with my family from England. 'How old are you' he wanted to know. 52, I tell him. You are too old and crazy my friend, he cheerfully tells me, with a look of bemusement and a shake of the head.
At this point I notice a plant growing in his garden - one similar to one I had grown in my kitchen 2 years previously. He had something like 15 to 20 growing in the garden. I offered my admiration of his 'fleurs' telling him of my rubbish attempt to grow one back home, and back home we had to grow such plants in the house as in a British garden they would die as it is 'trop froid'.
What a delightful way to live life, in such a pleasant climate. Kath and I will be back to soak up more of the same one day and we hope to stay for quite a while too.
With a 'merci' and wave I headed off in the correct direction and was soon passed by 20 or so cyclists from - it turned out - the local cycle club. Each rider in turn offered me a 'bon jour' and I tucked in at the back taking up the 'lanterne rouge' place http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanterne_rouge and was soon speeding along at a very comfortable 20 mph chatting to one of the group in broken French and English. I had forgotten what it was like to slip-stream and I enjoyed that 30 minutes or so.
Having recovered my direction and waving goodbye to the group as they ascended a small climb, I found the campsite and we enjoyed a very pleasant evening and a lovely bottle of the local red stuff too.
After the evening run to the shops to get tomorrows necessaries and refuel the car, we settled down for a very enjoyable evening, a few snacks, a glass or two of the red stuff and a wonderful sunset. How good can life be? Living the dream indeed.
Notes of the day:
5 hours on the canal
7 hours in total
ave speed 15
top speed 28
105 miles done - was on motorway (accidently) twice!!!!
Temp at 31c
Day 4 - heading for St Emillion then Rauzan .... hmmmmm
Woke up a little sore in the thighs again, despite yesterday's easy ride and alot of stretching. Woke to a chilly south westerly breeze - so no complaints at all..... until it turned a complete 180 degrees 2 hours later.
Found myself back on the canal path for a further 5 hours and had a jolly good day all around. Well, I say a jolly good day. Somehow the instructions were not easy to follow, and the last piece of advice from me 'if you can't find the campsite, keep going north until you find one' was ignored.
As I cycled through into La Reole I stopped for a drink and bite to eat overlooking the river. To my amusement, attached to the chimney of the building against which I was resting my bike, there was a sign asking people - to keep off the roof
I was soon out of town and ploughing along the virtually empty main road which were cutting through the many fields of grape vines.
As the next campsite was only 20 miles or so away and the day was yet young, I thought I had enough time to stop and play with the camera and take a pic of an interesting plant or two
I cycled passed the town of (where Kath was already setting up camp - unbeknown to me) Rauzan I dropped down the escarpment to be disappointed with an empty camp site right on the river. Not too dispirited though, I headed north to look for the next / inevitable campsite, which appeared a further 20 miles up the road. I cycled in to the wonderful town of St Emillion to find no English at the campsite. What the F...! Where are you???! A sulky and grumpy me was collected by car an hour later and taxied back to the campsite - which was wonderful and we chatted with other campers long in to the evening, but not before the girls had enjoyed the swimming pool and all of us a walk around the very picturesque town.
Kath says that she looked for the site and didn't think that I would have wanted to go any further north so she headed south the campsite on the very original plan. Logical I agree, frustrating for me at the time, but it all worked out in the end.
Kath said 'sorry' and we made up over a bottle of wine (again) and things were ok by the end of the next day. I recognised my over-reaction to a negative event when I have pushed myself too hard, could see Kath's logic and need to find somewhere for us all and I hope that I will learn from this error of getting too tired.
The town of Rauzan is worth a visit if you are in the area. The sad part for me was the amount of closed-down shops and properties for-sale. The financial difficulties that are openly discussed in the British media are seemingly hitting the French in a similar way.
notes for the day:
Ave speed 13.1
Miles 100
max speed 27.3
Westerly wind
Cycle time 7.42
Still lots of cricket-sounding creatures screeching in the trees...have been since coming down off Pyrenees.
Day 5 - heading for Sireuil
We agreed a late start to allow Kath to give me a lift to St Emillion from where I can continue the ride. We were waved a very cheerful farewell by the Dutch/Belgian couple with whom we had a lovely chat the previous evening. The uneventful drive to St E. was a blessing in disguise as the road seemed quite busy.
The bonus of yesterday's efforts and longer ride meant I had only to 'do' 60-odd and the girls had the chance to have a look around a truly wonderful town and the taking of more photos before heading after me.
Believe me, the pictures do no justice to the place....and for that I can only apologise. The remedy is, ofcourse, to visit the place yourself.
So.... I left the 3 to it and cycled off throught the vine-yards soon to stop to take my first picture of the day - a 10 feet bottle on the road side.
Today was a very good ride. went off course a bit, but hey.... nothing goes perfectly does it. There is slight cloud cover today, and a little cooler. Temp now under 30 degrees c.
Day 6 - Heading for Chauvigny.
Another good day, but a cold start. The chain is slipping and I will need to find a 'velo' shop or risk damaging something quite badly. The gamble I have taken of getting to Paris without changing all the drive kit has failed...but only just. A Gallic shrug of the shoulder by myself and a 'c'est la vie' and away I go.
Despite a gentle headwind today's stats are
Top speed 36.4
ave speed 12.9
The campsite is good - another municapal one so only 18 euros for the four of us. Chauvigny itself is very much worth a look and after a great meal we wandered in to town where we found some live music being played in the square. After sitting to enjoy a drink, we went off to grab some photos before looking for a shop that sold wine - we had run out!!! - finding only the patisserie to the joy of the girls.
For me, as an ex-military man, the war memorial was of most interest.
It's a very modern structure and they have used stones from all over the country and world to add colour and interest.
For me, the saddest part of the momnument is the spaces ..... presumably left for those who will 'fall' in the future. May they rest in peace.
Day 7. Up at 6 and gone by 6.30 heading for Loire Valley
I am using the better roads rather than the small country roads and making excellent headway. The much-google discussed 'no cyclists on D roads' is not correct and as long as I avoid the French version of the UK's A1, the D roads are available and pretty much traffic free. The main source of anxiety for both Kath and myself is the rubbish sign-posting in the towns and villages....ranging from poor to non-existant in some cases. But we are both agreed that this just adds to the experience.
As I cycled along the Loire valley approaching the campsite I found a chap painting and selling some previously created pictures. I stopped, flicked through his small 'library' and picked a picutre for each of us. When I handed them over the obvious delight by each was very touching...a few pennies spent bring much happiness to us all.
Leaving early again I make good speed and avoid most of the afternoon heat and arrive on the Loire in good time and feeling generally quite fresh. We enjoyed yet another marvellous meal created by Kath followed by a nice walk along the river bank to take a few photos before retiring to the tent to play a little guitar and drink some brews followed by a glass or 2 of the red stuff.
Having dipped our toes in the Loire, and taken some photos of the local dragon flies we headed back to the tent. As we settled in for the evening Suzie called out, 'air balloons' and we were treated to several balloons landing nearby (but out of sight) our favourite being the red balloon with many white spots - looking much like a lady-bird.
The photo below was an accident but it appears to show the two balloons being attached. An excellent end to another good day.
Ave speed 15.2
85 miles done
Top speed 29
nice campsite again.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3972260
Day 9 - heading for Chartres
I met them in the centre of town and escorted the Cod back to the campsite and all was well. It was nice to be able to help put up the tent and get things ready for the evening. I went in search of a bike shop but as expected it was shut.
My knees are a little sore - probably because of the use of the larger ring now that the middle one is out of use.
And - shock horror! - This evening / night it rains ..... just a tiny amount but it actually rains.
A nice campsite - and a place to buy some late-night chips and a beer in the evening too.
Last day and off we go to Paris. Up at 6...gone by 7 on the road out of town heading for Ablis. The road is chocker full of cars and lorries and quite scarey. 20 miles down the road and thankfully I am back on the quieter roads and heading for Versailles.
Suzie has done a download on her ipod and is confident of getting mummy in to Paris safely. If not, they will be heading for Versailles and I shall go to the campsite in Bois de Boulogne on edge of Paris then get a train back to drive everyone in.
Kath had a late start and the texts I was getting told me they were making good progress.
As I approached Versailles I came across this wonderful (presumably) old viaduct standing very high above the road. I had seen it on Google Earth and I knew I was close.
Prior to Versailles is a tiny place called Buc and on the roadside was a Mirage fighter jet 'guarding' a T junction. An elegant flying machine.
I followed the road in to Paris passing through my favourite-named town of Chaville and over a rise to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Pedalling on in the heavy traffic I found myself cycling along the Seinne and passing Longchamps race course, I received a message to say they had arrived and I followed them in 5 minutes later. What a result. Fantastic. Other than getting to the Arc de Triomphe, the ride was complete.
http://www.paris-tourisme.com/campsite/index.html
Other than the road to Ablis the ride was free of traffic, roads were good and where it was busy once again, even in Paris, traffic was cycle-friendly.
todays ride was only 56 miles
4 hrs and 30 in the saddle
ave speed of 12.6
We had a bite to eat then walked through the 'Bois' to find the Arc
Photos done we walked on down to see the Eiffel before heading back.
The waterfall in Bois de Boulogne near Longchamps race track - a lovely discovery for us.
The ride is not hard - except for going over the Pyrenees. The roads are good and the driving is exceptional compared to the UK.
I have a copy of my route should you want a copy - but on reflection I would probably use the michelin route finder and stick to the busier roads (as I did eventually) as they are pretty quiet.
The next bike-ride - in 2013 - will be from home (Bournemouth) to Berlin - around 800 miles.
If any one would like more details on the journey I am happy to share them. Contact me on therealtonylane@hotmail.com.
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